Commonwealth War Cemeteries & The Runnymede Memorial

Introduction

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) preserves 23,000 war memorials and cemeteries across 150 countries, honoring soldiers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa who fought in World War II.

Among these sites, the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery and Runnymede Memorial stand as powerful tributes to fallen airmen who sacrificed their lives during the war.

 

Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Europe

1. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery (Germany)

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, located in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, is the largest Commonwealth military cemetery in Germany, with 7,594 graves.

History & Significance

  • Established after WWII to centralize graves from Western Germany.
  • Many buried here died in the Battle of the Reichswald (February 1945), a critical phase in the Allied advance to the Rhine River.
  • Holds many RAF airmen who were lost in bombing raids over Germany.

Key Details

  • Location: Grunewaldstrasse, Kleve, Germany
  • Total Graves: 7,594
  • Unidentified Soldiers: 176
  • Nationalities Represented: British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander, Polish, and Dutch military personnel.

Visiting Information

The cemetery is open daily for visitors, serving as a symbol of sacrifice. Parking is available across the road, requiring caution when crossing.

 

2. Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery (Netherlands)

Also known as the Airborne Cemetery, this site in Oosterbeek contains 1,764 graves.

  • Most soldiers buried here died during the Battle of Arnhem (September 1944).
  • Honors paratroopers, transport pilots, and RAF aircrew who supported the airborne invasion.

 

3. Jonkerbos War Cemetery (Netherlands)

Located in Nijmegen, this cemetery contains 1,629 Commonwealth graves, including many RAF airmen.

  • Many lost their lives in operations over the Netherlands, especially bombing raids and air reconnaissance missions.

 

4. Brookwood Military Cemetery (England)

This is the largest CWGC cemetery in the UK, holding many RAF aircrew lost in air operations over Europe.

 

5. Bergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery (Netherlands)

This cemetery honors 1,284 British and Canadian soldiers, including Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircrew.

 

6. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (Thailand)

Though not located in Europe, it is one of the most significant Commonwealth cemeteries, commemorating Allied prisoners of war, including airmen.

 

Runnymede Memorial – The Air Forces Memorial

Overview

The Runnymede Memorial, located in Surrey, England, is dedicated to 20,456 men and women from the Commonwealth Air Forces who were lost in air operations during World War II and have no known grave.

History & Significance

  • Unveiled on October 17, 1953, by Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Designed by Sir Edward Maufe, featuring sculptures by Vernon Hill and engraved glass by John Hutton.
  • Commemorates Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, and Flying Training Commands.
  • Many were lost over the North Sea, enemy territory, or in crashes where remains were never recovered.